CHAPTER 2: Scent of addiction

...— • Chapter Two • —...

...Scent of addiction...

The sun rises as Yoonah is still asleep when she hears the door knocked twice she is awake from her slumber. "Miss Yoonah, may I come in?" Yoonah sat as she agreed to let her in. A box with soft colored wrapped and a red bow was handed to her. The maid bowed as she said,

 "Sir Hiroshi asked me to give you this Miss, this will be your dress for the party later..." Yoonah grabbed the box and thanked her

 "And your breakfast is already served, would you like me to send your food miss?" Yoonah just waved no to her

 "No, no need for that. I'll go to the dining room. Thank you again" The maid just smiled at her, she bowed and left the room. Yoonah looked at the box once again and rolled her eyes. "I have lost my appetite"

With a sigh, Yoonah gazed at the box resting on her bed. Her stomach wrenched at the idea of going to her father's gathering. She knew this was no ordinary gathering but rather an act of power and dominance over the world where her father ruled. Putting up an act and being someone she was not frightened of. Yoonah slowly opened the beautiful box unveiling an elegant silky black dress, She couldn't deny its beauty. But the idea of putting on such a lavish dress is like putting on a mask to cover her whole being. She hesitated, her fingers brushing the soft fabric.

 "Is this who I have to be tonight?" She whispered to herself. Her head was filled with flashbacks of her previous life in Tokyo. The expensive parties, the forced smiles, and the deadly undercurrents constantly lurked beneath the surface.

Yoonah recalled the pressure to fit in and appear like the ideal mafia boss's daughter. However, she had left that world behind and embraced solace and comfort in Hokkaido's serene countryside. And yet here she was, drawn once more into her father's web. She was aware that refusing his request would not be an option. Yoonah let out a dejected sigh and began getting dressed in her normal simple clothing, as she glanced in the mirror.

This is me, gazing at herself smiling at the clothes she picked. Moving toward the large dining room as you go down the stairs. Hiroshi Kazumi was sitting at the end of the table. He gives her daughter a look and gestures for her to approach him. She obeys and takes a seat close to him. The mood is serious and uncomfortable; likely, no one spoke at all. Yoonah broke the silence by asking her father a question.

 "Can I still pursue my studies?" and set down her spoon as she stared at her meal. Her father was still at his calm face.

"I don't see why not... It's better to enhance your knowledge." He uttered, Yoonah smiled and thanked his father.

 "But on one condition, I'll be the one picking a University fit for you... My old friend had a daughter at Sovereign University. I thought maybe you both could get along since our family and hers are allies." Yoonah just nodded, she couldn't complain about her father's words. All she could do was agree with him.

Meanwhile, in the other part of Tokyo. Elijiah was woken up by the sound of her alarm clock. She turned off her alarm as she got up, glancing around her dim room. Everything seemed suffocating the broken guitar, her father's harsh remarks, the upcoming meeting with his old friend. Rubbing her eyes tiredly, she tried to ignore the feeling of despair that began to overwhelm her. With a heavy heart, she got ready for today.

Choosing her outfit was simple, and it was comfortable for her. As she headed towards their dining area, her little brother ran up to her.

"Buongiorno sorella!! Our capocuoco have made our food! It's delizioso!" Rm said as he jumped around guiding her older sister towards her seat.

"Veramente? Can I have some? Nutrimi" Elijiah chuckled as she said and opened her mouth, making Rm feed her.

 "Elijiah, Rhys. Mamma will go now! And my little boy your father will bring you to your school and also Elijiah drive slowly okay?" She kissed their foreheads as both of them uttered

"Yes Mamma!" As their mother waved them goodbye. Elijiah finished her breakfast as she also bid farewell to her little brother.

^^^_^^^

 At the Kazumi residence, Yoonah was in the banquet hall eyeing the decorations. "Is it not your liking Miss?" One of the butlers said,

 "No no no, It's beautiful." Yoonah responded with a polite smile, though her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in her stomach, knowing what awaited her at her father's gathering. The luxurious decorations and lavish displays only served to highlight the dark reality of her father's realm.

At the Sovereign University, in the meantime. She was too sluggish to attend even a single lesson even though the class had already begun. Elijiah closed her eyes as she lay down on the rooftop, enjoying the fresh breeze and silence. However, a voice that irritates Elijiah breaks the silence.

"Well, well, well... Look who's here, supposedly the best student who skipped class. Are you really a role model to this university? Pfft - pathetic" The annoying voice came from the only rival of elijiah, She sighed deeply, recognizing the voice of Margareth's, her rival. Margareth was known for her sharp tongue and relentless competitiveness. With a roll of her eyes, Elijiah slowly sat up, facing her with a calm expression.

 "Marga" Elijiah said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement and annoyance.

"Always a pleasure to see you too." She leaned back on her elbows, unfazed by Margareth's taunts.

"Skipping class doesn't make me any less of a student, you know. Sometimes a break from boredom is necessary for creativity." Margareth rolled her eyes and sneered, her gaze turning furious.

"Let's see, within two months there will be a competition. Let's see the battle of the bands who will win the music throne... My band and I will crush your team, down." She said raising her voice, Elijiah just calmly looked at the view of their school. With a quiet chuckle, Elijiah kept her eyes focused on the distance.

"Oh, it's a challenge, is it? How thrilling," she said, sarcastically. She was well aware of Margareth's competitive mind, and the idea of a band competition only fueled her desire. Elijiah smirked confidently and stated,

"As much as I enjoy our little chats, Marga, I'll let our music do the talking."

"May the best band win."

Margareth grumbled at Elijiah, her eyes narrowing as her sneer became deeper. "Don't get too comfortable, Raizen. You may have some talent, but talent alone won't win you this competition." Margareth's arrogance didn't bother Elijiah, she just shrugged. She said confidently,

"We'll see about that," her mind is already buzzing with thoughts for their performance. Margareth stormed out with that, leaving Elijiah on the roof alone once more. She sighed with relief, happy that the confrontation was over. She closed her eyes and let the soft wind caress her, the sound of her guitar being strung familiarly echoing in her head.

Night falls as daylight fades. The residences of the Kazumi family, Maids, and butlers go back and forth because the guests are showing up. Some lavish expensive cars lined up in the driveway as people began gathering in the banquet area. Their exquisite dress and polished manner provide an eye-catching contrast to the tranquil environment.

The sound of soothing music drifting through the air was mixed with the sounds of whispered discussions and laughter and the sound of two glasses clinking together with some people faking a smile showing off their expensive jewelry. As the crowd kept talking. The large door opened revealing the Raizen Family, catching every eye in the room and people started to whisper again. Enrique Raizen shows a proud look as he and his family walk towards his dear old friend Hiroshi. They greet each other with a formal handshake.

 "I've noticed your elder daughter is not with you?" Hiroshi stated to his friend "She will come soon"

In Yoonah's room, she was sitting in front of her mirror in the gentle glow of the vanity lights, with a hustle of activity all around her. When applying cosmetics and adjusting her clothes, the maids walked about her with taught accuracy, their soft hands caressing her flesh. Yoonah's cheeks were given a shade of pink by a maid who lightly brushed at her. The other carefully applied eyeliner to highlight the almond shape of her eyes…

 Feeling removed from the glittering being staring back at her, Yoonah observed their actions as they reflected in the mirror. As the maids worked, Yoonah's mind wandered, her thoughts consumed by the events that awaited her downstairs. She felt like a puppet on strings, being dressed up and paraded around for the amusement of her father's guests. But amidst the chaos of her thoughts, a sense of determination flickered within her.

She straightened her posture, meeting her reflection with steely resolve. This may not be the life she had chosen, but she refused to let it define her. With each stroke of the makeup brush and each adjustment of her dress, she felt herself growing stronger, and more resilient in the face of adversity.

The maids worked in silence, their movements synchronized as they transformed Yoonah into a picture of elegance and poise. As the final touches were applied, Yoonah's gaze lingered on her reflection, taking in the sight of the woman she had become.

She came from a world of lies and evil, but for the time being she was a light of hope, an image of bravery and resilience. Yoonah got up from her seat, ready to take on any trials that were ahead, her head held high and her heart full of determination. The maids trailed behind her as she went down the stairs.

 They went down into the banquet hall. As the door began to open lights flashed before her eyes. "The rightful heir of the Kazumi Clan, Yoonah Kazumi. We welcome you for your return." As people clapped, Yoonah's father smiled as people looked at her with her pure beauty. Meanwhile, Elijiah was driving fast as she talked on the phone with her father

"You better be here Elijiah" Her father stated as she sighed "I'm already here." She stopped in a huge mansion looking around to park her vehicle.

Elijiah quickly goes inside, spotting her younger brother sitting on the table along with her mother and father. Luckily her clothes were already prepared by the maids. A dark brown suit that fit her well, her mother smiled as her father just kept talking to his friend. "You are late sorella..." RM pouted as Elijiah squeezed his cheeks "Sorry lil bro, there's traffic."

They talked for a bit as Elijiah wandered around as she began to get tired, "Sorella..." said Rm tugging her shirt

 "Hmmm? what is it, lil bro?" She questioned as she looked worried when he was squeezing his stomach,

"I wanna pee."

Elijiah laughed as she stood up "Come on let's find the restroom." She held her hand as Rm held it, and they looked around finding the restroom. In the meantime, Yoonah was getting bored. She wanted to go outside in the garden, so she quietly went out.

^^^_^^^

"Here it is the restroom," Elijiah said, "Stay here sorella, I can do it by myself."

 "Okay then, call me if you need help alright?" Rm nods as he closes the restroom door. She looked at her phone and began strolling. Yoonah ran towards the hallway she spotted a girl but didn't bother it when she was close to her.

A scent she smelled. A sweet warm vanilla fragrance lingering her nose, As elijiah looked at her. As Yoonah quickly ran off but Elijiah kept looking at the girl with silky white hair it seemed like a ghost she thought. Rubbing her eyes as she looked back again. No one was there, and her whole body trembled "what was that!?"

Yoonah was at the garden at last, sitting near the water fountain. Thinking of that girl with a sweet, scent. As she looked back towards where she came from, remembered the fragrance.

^^^"Who could that be.. Hmmm"^^^

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